How to manage your stress during exam time
As the Fall term comes to an end, many of us are stressing about our exams, how we'll study for them, and what marks we will get. This article will provide you with several tips on how to manage this stress.
The end of term always has us stressed out and working at full capacity. During these times, we must recognize how we are feeling and come up with a plan to ensure that we are still taking care of ourselves while we prepare for our exams.
The first tip is to look at your exam schedule in advance, so you have time to create a study plan. Use the energy involved in stressing for the exam and direct it toward making a detailed study timeline. This will allow you to feel in control of your studying and keep you on track. You should aim to provide yourself with a couple of extra buffer days in case you are not as productive as you expect.
The second tip is to take time to optimize your study habits. Find the method that suits you and use it to your advantage, whether that is rewriting your notes or creating flashcards. Channel your strengths to help you do the best you can!
The third tip relates to the power of our thoughts. We can become so distracted as we obsess over the marks we need to get that we lose sight of the process, which is our study plan. My advice would be to bring yourself back to the present moment and focus on the now. Use the time that you have to study, review, and revise for your finals so that you are prepared.
Exam time can be a stressful period and it is important to remember that you are not alone. The University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) has plenty of resources for students. For example, you can book an appointment and visit the Health & Counselling Centre for a counselling session, or you can choose to download the MySSP app, which provides 24/7 free confidential call and text services to all UTM students located anywhere in the world.
UTM’s organized Exam Jam sessions are also a great opportunity to prepare for your exams. They can often provide various tips for studying, as well as healthy activities you can do to take a break, such as yoga or crafts. They are a great way to make the exam season experience a bit more enjoyable! For more information, check out the UTM Centre for Student Engagement.
Remember: You got this!
